The first person to answer was a recording artist with a big name and an even bigger heart. Together, we held a month-long coat drive, plus a benefit concert for Housing Works. Housing Works, is a not-for-profit group dedicated to helping people affected by the linked-crises of HIV/AIDS and homelessness.

Although it ran for an entire month, the biggest day of the coat drive was the final day. We organized an in-store party with music, food, drinks and more at Coat of Arms (43 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002). At the party, the community came out in one last push to collect warm outerwear for Housing Works. Each donor received free tickets to the wrap concert which took place later that night at Tammany Hall, a venue on the Lower East Side. Donors also received free CDs, Frank151 books, event-related t-shirts and other gifts from our sponsors.

The in-store closing party also featured an art auction of Brian Kavanagh’s urban photography, food from East Village purveyor Lil Frankie’s, and music from Mr. Walt and DJ Bazarro of the Beatminerz.

The after party and concert hosted by LES & VH1 personality Alexandra Estevez, featured a live performance by Cormega, backed by his live band The Revelations. The concert drew a diverse crowd from skateboarders and models, to Hip-Hoppers and downtown tastemakers. The best part? All of the proceeds from the door went straight to Housing Works, along with a large donation of warm outerwear.